With the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, we close the Christmas season and stand before the beginning of the Lord’s public life. Jesus, the beloved Son, immerses himself in the waters of the Jordan and, anointed by the Spirit, begins a journey that will be the proclamation of the Kingdom, closeness to the poor and total surrender of life.
This moment clearly reveals who Jesus is and, at the same time, who we are in Him: beloved daughters and sons, anointed for a mission.
We welcome the Word
Peter took the floor:
– I truly acknowledge that God is not partial, but accepts those who respect him and proceed honestly, from whatever nation they may be.He communicated his word to the Israelites and announces the Good News of peace through Jesus, the Messiah, who is Lord of all.
You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, from the baptism which John preached. Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power: he went about doing good and healing those possessed by the Devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:34-38
Peter sums up the life and mission of Jesus with a simple and profound phrase: “He went about doing good”.
Anointed by the Spirit, Jesus lives from intimacy with the Father and allows himself to be led by him to others, especially those most in need of life, healing and hope.
Determination illuminates our path
Sonship expresses the originality of Jesus’ intimate relationship with God. At Baptism, the Father pronounces over Jesus words that echo forever: “You are my beloved Son” (Mk. 1:11) (Determination 6).
In him, we too hear this voice. Sonship is not only a theological truth: it is a spiritual experience that transforms our way of living, of relating and of going out to meet others.
Being daughters in the Son makes us sisters, sends us to “do good” and places us in a shared mission.
Anointed to continue on their way
The Baptism of the Lord reminds us that every vocation is born of the Father’s love and unfolds in a life of self-giving.
What does it mean to you, deep down, to be a daughter/son of God?
As Daughters of Jesus, we renew today our identity and our mission: to allow ourselves to be anointed by the Spirit and to walk, like Him, doing good, proclaiming peace and building fraternity.
May this feast help us to live in the certainty of knowing that we are beloved and sent daughters.
